Man this regular season has gone by fast. It doesn’t matter what you think of NBA75 there is one thing that needs to be said. It’s playoff time. The expectations are sky high for the 20 teams that will enter the NBA Lane Arena this postseason. Here are their stories.
Charlotte Hornets (Still making progress): I have no idea what to think of the Hornets. One day they look like a team that could pull off a massive 1st Round upset with the talent they have on offense. Next they look like a team competing in the draft lottery. They’ve been a streaky team all season most due to one of the worst defenses in the NBA. Although if anything LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are all but carrying this team to relevance. Once again I’m going to ask, can this team go far without an elite Center? Yes they added Montrezl Harrell but he’s being used for 6th Man duties. Unless Mason Plumlee adapts quickly it’s going to be another early exit. Luckily for Charlotte they are getting healthy. Remember Gordon Hayward, he’s back in game form. His return could be pivotal if they want to get out of the Play-in Round. (I wonder what MJ will do if they fall short again?)
Atlanta Hawks (Ice Trae wants heads): The Hawks just got healthy again and are taking no prisoners after a brutal start. With Trae Young back to doing his usual offensive antics, Atlanta like last year is one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs. They want payback for being victimized by the eventual champs. Although at this moment, the Hawks will have to play short handed again. CRACK! John Collins has been out with a foot injury and who knows if he comes back or not. Even if he doesn’t return, DeAndre Hunter is healthy this time, Kevin Huerter has been playing consistently well over the last month, and their defense has improved but they’re still middle of the pack. Considering that they have to play Miami if they get out of the Play-In Round the quest to get back to the ECF will be very challenging.
Cleveland Cavaliers (Limping to the finish line, LITERALLY): Yes they may be ahead of schedule, yes they have some great young players. But here is the catch, CRACK! Injuries, they have cost them a shot at avoiding the Play-In Round plus they have had a brutal schedule as of late. Jarrett Allen getting hurt against Toronto last month was a major pill to swallow. The defense hasn’t been the same since. If this team has any chance at regaining form they need Evan Mobley and Darius Garland to continue their breakout seasons. Mobley, like Allen, was also injured but he just came back. It’s a shame that the Basketball Gods had plans for them. The good news is this year’s success is only the beginning if you fall short. (Have fun dealing with your old PA Announcer in the 7v8 game)
Brooklyn Nets (Bandwagon World): Unlike last year the Nets are a confusing team to look at. I know they have KD and Kyrie plus new reinforcements from the James Harden trade like Seth Curry and Andre Drummond but something is off with them. No it’s not the Ben Simmons situation or the whole Kyrie vaccine dilemma. Even if they have the same weaknesses, and have won most of their games against weak opponents the real issue that Brooklyn faces is THE GUY BEHIND THE BENCH! I get that Steve Nash is still a young coach but he struggles to put the proper lineups on the court in a big moment, relies too much on his superstars, and makes no adjustments in terms of matchups. Not only that they may have to face the possible reality of getting lorded over by Milwaukee YET AGAIN! (Or Boston too in the 1st Round) They are either getting blown out in the 1st Round or going deep there is no other conclusion. If they fail again it looks like Olivier Sedra is going to recruit LeBron so that those 2 and Kyrie are reunited from Cleveland AGAIN. (Like last year I want that bandwagon fan base plus media networks to eat their crow)
Chicago Bulls (What excuses will there be this time?): After spending more money than any team in the NBA this offseason, the Bulls have made it back to the playoffs after a 5 year wait. After that white hot start that they had, Chicago has gone ice cold since the All Star Break. And it’s not due to injuries or blaming Grayson Allen for just about anything wrong with the team. They have one of the worst records in the NBA against top heavy teams, and like KD and the Nets they have a very predictable offensive formula. That formula is to play ISO Ball with DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine and hope it works out. (Their 1st Round opponent by the way is masters at shutting down ISO Ball teams) It worked for them early on thanks to an easy schedule, but whenever they’ve had a chance to make a statement they get crushed. I know Lonzo Ball has been out for much of the year but I don’t think that would have made a difference. If they come up short it looks like Reinsdorf will throw even more futures at Christian Wood or Zion. I would be optimistic but who am I kidding they probably just replaced the Pacers on the given 1st Round playoff elimination from the East. (“We’re going to take back I-94” IN YOUR DREAMS BULLS FANS!)
Toronto Raptors (Drake and Jurassic Park are back in session): What a difference playing in your own nation again and having fans can do for a team. After becoming the 1st team to play an entire season on the road during 2021, the Raptors regained their old form and have been En Fuego over the last few weeks. Pascal Siakum, and Fred Van Vleet are leading the charge with vengeance. Not to mention Scottie Barnes has put together the best rookie campaign by a Toronto player since a guy named Vince Carter. They may not have the talent they had in recent years but they are still a well oiled machine with one of the most top coaches in the league. The only thing unlikable about this team is how cocky their fans and TSN are. Although these are the same people that think the Maple Leafs will win the Cup every year going back to 2018. This may not be the year where they return to glory, but I’ll have a close eye on them going forward. One more thing. Remember Jurassic Park, one of the toughest places to play in the NBA. It’s back and good as new. I wonder how many teams will have trouble getting Drake out of their heads too?
Philadelphia 76ers (The Band of Choke Artists trying to end their narratives): The regular season has meant nothing to the 76ers that it’s hard to tell if they have enough juice to make it far. This squad on paper may have the most star power of any team in “The Process Era” but there are still many questions than answers. One of them is the lack of depth outside of their starting 5. Plus they are dealing with the concerns of James Harden being massively inconsistent after a torrid 1st month in a Sixers uniform. Luckily for them Joel Embiid is putting up MVP type numbers, and Tyrese Maxey looks like an absolute stud at Point Guard. However there are a few things we need to consider. This is the Curse of Billy Penn, and this is Doc Rivers, and this is James Harden after April 1. Plus there’s the whole “Can’t make it past the 2nd Round” narrative that’s been there for over 20 years. If there’s ever a chance to shed all of those labels this is it. But I know who you truly want, I know who you really want to face…
Milwaukee Bucks (“It is TIME to talk about the defending champs” -Malika Andrews): It’s weird that I don’t have to mention Milt Mason, or the ghosts of 2001 and 2019. Bucks fans this is what it’s like to try and defend that glorious championship. This year the sins of the past are gone, but many great challenges await. They may have to face those bandwagons from Brooklyn again, or possibly their most hated rival in the Celtics. Most of the core is back from last year and the expectations of becoming the next great dynasty in the NBA are high. You know what I find interesting? The Bucks had the 3rd most players used in the NBA this season, plus the hardest schedule in the 2nd Half and yet haven’t lost an inner conference game since February. (They lost to the Cavs to end the regular season but they played their G-Leaguers) Their Big 3 of Giannis, Jrue, and Khris are once again taking no prisoners and now with Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton back from injury to solidify their rotation they will be going for back to back. Plus they have 2 of the most hated men in Chicago in Bobby Portis and Grayson Allen each having career years. You can talk all you want about the idea that this team only benefited because of other teams injuries last year, that PJ Tucker is not replaceable (Wes Matthews you better live up to those expectations), that Coach Bud is massively overrated, and that you could still build a wall on Giannis. (I’m looking at you Skip Bayless) You might be correct, but here’s the thing. THEY DON’T CARE! If the Bucks dominate at Fiserv Forum like the last 2 postseasons, all of Milwaukee will claim that their real losses in the Summer of 21 came off the court instead of on it. (At least they can beat the hell out of the Bulls again. If they fail I don’t want to hear the end of it)
Boston Celtics (An insane turn of events in BeanTown): So now you decided to play up to your potential. What did it take you, a year and a half. If there’s anything that this nation needed it’s another Boston team with championship ambitions. The tandem or Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both in the prime of their careers and have been zoned in since the beginning of the calendar year. Their defense is one of the best in the game with Marcus Smart, and Al Horford regaining their old magic. Ime Udoka has done wonders with this team in the 2nd Half even as a rookie coach. (You can thank Brad Stevens for teaching him, plus Stevens so far is an excellent GM) There is one problem. CRACK! Robert Williams, their defense anchor, is out for the 1st Round with a knee injury. Plus they likely get the prize of another Civil War between their fanbase and Kyrie Irving. The Celtics like their first challengers or either losing in Round 1 or making a deep run. I have one piece of advise, please beat Brooklyn in the 1st Round!
Miami Heat (The Insufferable Stampede of #HeatTwitter): Here it comes boys! The scene where all of the 305 plus ESPN’s Jorge Sedano enter the nightclubs around America to convince us that the Heat are going to win it all. Yes this roster is much better on paper than it was last year when they got smacked in the 1st Round. Like most of their teams under Erik Spoelstra Miami has no true weakness and is incredibly balanced. Tyler Herro has put up perhaps the best season by a bench player in league history. Jimmy Butler when healthy is still one of the more underrated players in the game. Plus Max Strus and Caleb Martin have come out of nowhere to become quality depth players. It’s interesting that they have been getting little respect outside of Miami yet still have the #1 seed despite massive injuries early in the year. Although it might be starting up again. PJ Tucker, CRACK! His body is starting to become fragile thanks to a couple of injuries but he should be back at some point in the 1st Round. Although their path to get back to the Finals will be tough since they will likely face Brooklyn or Atlanta to begin the playoffs. If they somehow lose early, I don’t know how this organization will regroup in the offseason thanks to some of the contracts they’ve locked up.
San Antonio Spurs (You at least made us laugh at LeBron and the Lakers): Well you made it. It looked ugly at some point and should have resulted in more frustration but you’re here. I know many are going to say that the Spurs only made the Play-In because of the massive implosion in LA (LeBron James = Mike Keenan) but there are still plenty of young players still developing. Lets take out our binoculars and see what we can find that’s good on this team despite their struggles. Well it appears to be Dejounte Murray single handedly carrying a bunch of young guys who aren’t ready for the show until they have to face a real team. Even if Coach Pop set the record for most wins by a head coach this year will be another early exit for San Antonio. At least their mascot The Coyote has a word translator I guess. (I have the same thing for Poe on Charm City Beasts)
New Orleans Pelicans (Just don’t run Zion into the ground): You can thank me later for calling these guys finished in January. A team that had one of the worst records in the NBA on New Year’s Day rebounded with a strong win streak and consistent scoring options to get into the Play-In Round. An injection of youth has helped this squad out. Devonte Graham has become a rising young guard, Brandon Ingram is now living up to his contract, and they even got a surprise acquisition in CJ McCollum who has fit in perfectly. There is one problem. Their conditioning program. Oh you thought ruining Anthony Davis until he left for LA was the last time the Pelicans would ruin a generational player. Have you seen what they are doing to Zion? He hasn’t played a game this season thanks to their conditioning team not allowing him to rehab properly. (Is that Steve Saunders over there?) Not only that but his family wants to get out of the Big Easy in favor of New York or Chicago. It’s a shame that this headline is looming over what seems to be a likable crew.
Los Angeles Clippers (The reinforcements are coming): I find it hilarious that the Clippers despite both their stars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George being out for much of the year are in the playoffs instead of their LA rivals in the Lakers. (You should have hired Ty Lue, Magic) Well thats because of good coaching and a boatload of epic comebacks. Not only that they fleeced the Trail Blazers by only giving up a 2nd Rounder and depth pieces for Norman Powell. Even if he got hurt right after the trade he has come back and produced in bunches. Most of their success despite the injuries is due to Robert Covington, Luke Kennard, Nic Batum, and Reggie Jackson. All 4 of them are enjoying career years. This may not be their year but the next few will be interesting. In fact they are even getting a boost before the playoffs. PG13 is healthy and kicking butt again. The status of Kawhi is uncertain but if they can pull off an upset or 2 they could get him back in the WCF if things happen to go according to plan. Lets just hope they don’t flame out before the 1st Round begins.
Minnesota Timberwolves (Where in the world did this come from?): When the Big Market Boys Club led by Alex Rodriguez took over control of team operations, little did we know that they would go from the worst team in basketball, to playoff contenders overnight. The Wolves since the All Star Break have taken off and flashed their true potential. Anthony Edwards is a special player, and this season proves it. The way he has influenced their offensive attack is a sight to behold. Him and Karl Anthony Towns have both been on a tear and are clearly one of the hottest teams on the Western side of the playoff bracket. Their defense has gotten a boost with Pat Beverley back in Houston form. Minnesota is certainly a team on the rise and many great runs are hopefully coming for the sake of their fans. Plus they may have enough capital to build a new arena in the future. (The rumors of them heading to Las Vegas are dead BABY!) I have one piece of advice, please make it out of the 7v8 game. A T-Wolves Grizzlies series would be MustC TV.
Denver Nuggets (Master Jokic and the Boys): Can we sit back and be amazed at this Nuggets season. I think so. Looking at the circumstances this squad has faced, it’s a miracle that they’ve made it this far. Think about it. CRACK! Most of their key players both starting and coming off the bench have been injured for much of the year. How have they been able to maintain this success? It’s because of Nikola Jokic and Mike Malone’s leadership. Jokic in particular has put up the greatest season by a Center in NBA History. Besides the Joker Jeff Green, Aaron Gordon, and Will Barton have been the major contributors. The grace period will be around this year thanks to the injuries but I don’t know if it will last next year when Jamal Murray and Kevin Porter Jr return. Even if they have an early exit, Denver at least did what they could. I’m proud of you boys.
Utah Jazz (At least your home court is daunting I guess): Despite last year’s sudden surge to the best record in the league, the basketball world is ready for the Jazz. They now lack that mid tier squad label from 2020 and are looking to make a deep run. Even if their record isn’t as strong as it was early in the year, Utah is still a very talented unit. Rudy Gobert may not win Defensive Player of the Year but he certainly is still one of the best rim protectors of this generation. Donovan Mitchell is in the beginning of his prime and it looks like Danny Ainge will do whatever he can to make sure he has enough pieces around him. They may not have the record they had last year, but I could see these guys make a run towards the Conference Finals if things play out in their favor. If they come up short again, I feel like their fans are going to want Quin Snyder out ASAP. (FYI Snyder is the least of their issues, the lack of depth in the playoffs is)
Dallas Mavericks (Jason Kidd has been revived, AGAIN): Looks like Mark Cuban bringing back Jason Kidd didn’t backfire after all. Following a slow start the Mavericks have taken off and have established themselves as a dark horse championship contender. Luka Doncic, him and his pretty boy personality and playmaking skills in every phase of the game are becoming even more popular by the year. Even if he hurt his calf in the season finale he should be a go come Game 1. (They replaced Dirk with a smaller Dirk that’s just as good) Even if Maxi Kleber and Tim Hardaway have been injured Dwight Powell has stepped up as of late. (A 22 point game against Brook Lopez will do that) Doncic’s newest wingman Jalen Brunson has gone back to 2018 form at Villanova with a breakout year. Even Spencer Dinwiddie and Reggie Bullock have been healthy too. Jason Kidd still has his doubters out there, but he has clearly become a much better coach than his time with the Bucks and Nets. (Steve Nash should learn a thing or 2 from Kidd) If there’s ever a chance for him and Luka to get the 1st Round monkey off their backs this is it. If they fail they’ll probably enter the Dame sweepstakes. (They’re success will depends on who besides Doncic and Brunson will step up)
Golden State Warriors (“We will win the championship!” -Draymond Green): Knowing this team’s fortunes they are either getting eliminated in the 1st Round, or are somehow getting back to the Finals. Despite a Plants vs Zombies type raid of injuries, the Warriors were able to get off to a fast start. But then things tapered off thanks to Draymond Green getting injured after Klay Thompson returned. Then just as he came back Steph Curry went down the same week. Like most years the key to Golden States success is their so-called Strength in Numbers. Jordan Poole has emerged as a solid 6th Man, Andrew Wiggins despite an early slump after the All Star Break has caught fire again. And Klay Thompson hasn’t declined one bit. We all know that Steve Kerr has these guys locked in come playoff time, and I’m interested to see if the Chase Center is as daunting as Oracle Arena was. Plus they might be getting stronger. Stephen Curry, even if he has been out since Mid March, is expected to return in the 1st Round. If Steph dominates right away this could be another year where DubNation has Finals ambitions. (You better back up Draymond’s guarantee, if not memes will consume you whole)
Memphis Grizzlies (The 1991 Falcons of the NBA): How the tables have turned. The last 2 seasons for the Grizzlies were based on one thing. Laying the foundation for becoming a championship contender. A full season of Desmond Bane has done wonders for their rotation. Ja Morant has been the savior this team has been missing since the Gasol Brothers. Jaren Jackson has become a legit Power Forward. This is clearly the best season that Memphis has ever had. And not only that, they have become the colorful young swaggery team that the NBA hasn’t seen since the Vince Carter led Raptors of the early 2000s. When they beat you, they not only do it with flair but they let you know with their poses and TikTok dances. (Their celebrations after the Nets game and Ja scoring 50 points in another game is all you need to know) You know what’s insane. They’re record is just as good when Ja Morant isn’t out there. That’s because their depth is outstanding. Although the lack of playoff experience could play a huge factor, I don’t think they care about it. They just want to have as much fun as possible.
Phoenix Suns (PRESIDENTS TROPHY WINNER): Spare me the rhetoric of their historic season. I know they have the insane guard combo, the elite defensive frontcourt, and the past sins of Giannis, Jordan, and Kobe. We’ve seen this skit before. I know the feeling of the Bucks winning the title that could have been yours motivates you to get back out there and go for another deep run. The Suns this season have picked up right where they left off last year and have run away with the best record in the league. Their potent offense led by a generational talent in Devin Booker has been dominant in close games at a historic rate. (Put last year’s crunchtime numbers on steroids) When Booker and Chris Paul have been on the court, they are almost unstoppable if they have a lead after 3 Quarters. DeAndre Ayton and Mikal Bridges have both been in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. Even if they have dealt with injuries to their depth, they are still finding ways to win unlike any team in franchise history. This is probably CP3’s best chance at winning a championship and even if many teams with the best record in the league have come up short over the last half decade, Phoenix is going to make sure they aren’t one of those squads. Although the West especially near the top will be very imposing. PAUSE.
At this point I have no idea what to think of who will make it far, I’ll let the predictions do the talking.
Prediction: Just like last year this is a playoff bracket where I think any team has a shot at making the Finals thanks to the parity in the NBA that has been spread out over the past 2-3 years. Any prediction that I make has the opportunity to blow up spectacularly so why not go for the champs against the internet darlings. Milwaukee vs Memphis. Coach Bud and his former right hand man Taylor Jenkins in a 7 game duel for the ages. Although now that the Lakers are out, the NBA is going to do everything they can for the Nets, 76ers, or Warriors to make the Finals. Friends, please don’t let First Take and Undisputed make you forget about who the real contenders are instead of hoping for past glory.
Bragging Rights Sports 